Latest News and Breaking Stories

Trump says NATO willing to help in Hormuz operations as U.S. moves to 'clean out' strait - Sunday, 12 April

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the United States and Iran left peace talks in Islamabad without reaching an agreement early on Sunday, as negotiations extended into a second day, with both sides signalling continued tensions over key issues including the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear policy.

Hungary election: Viktor Orbán faces toughest test as voters head to polls

13:42

Hungary politics

Hungary election: Viktor Orbán faces toughest test as voters head to polls

Hungarians vote in elections on Sunday that could see the end of hard right nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s more than 15 year rule. Opinion polls show Orbán’s Fidesz party trailing 45-year-old Péter Magyar’s centre-right opposition Tisza party.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating Orthodox Easter ceasefire

14:57

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating Orthodox Easter ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a 32-hour ceasefire introduced to mark Orthodox Easter on Saturday (11 April). Russian officials said Ukrainian drones attacked targets in the Kursk and Belgorod border regions, injuring five people.

Rare earths: Why they are key to clean energy and global geopolitics

08:52

Explainer

Rare earths: Why they are key to clean energy and global geopolitics

The U.S., EU and their allies are racing to secure supplies of rare earth elements - essential materials for electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced technologies - as China maintains a dominant position in processing.

Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle dies at 92 after eight-decade career

16:14

Obituary

Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle dies at 92 after eight-decade career

Asha Bhosle, the legendary Indian playback singer whose voice defined generations of Bollywood music, has died at the age of 92 in Mumbai, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across India and beyond.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

Kazakhstan and Armenia expand cooperation as South Caucasus transport routes reopen

11:40

View from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan and Armenia expand cooperation as South Caucasus transport routes reopen

Kazakhstan and Armenia are moving to deepen bilateral ties as shifting dynamics in the South Caucasus reopen long-blocked transport routes and create new economic opportunities.

CHP Ankara chair Ümit Erkol detained in İzmir corruption probe

13:35

Corruption Case

CHP Ankara chair Ümit Erkol detained in İzmir corruption probe

Ankara Provincial Chair of Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (CHP), Ümit Erkol, has been detained as part of a corruption investigation linked to a cooperative in İzmir, Turkish media reported.

Uzbekistan expands privatisation drive and launches VAT refunds for foreign tourists

19:27

View from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan expands privatisation drive and launches VAT refunds for foreign tourists

Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.

Kazakhstan to hold parliamentary election in August, president says

15:47

Kazakhstan elections

Kazakhstan to hold parliamentary election in August, president says

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday (10 April) that a parliamentary election in the Central Asian country would take place in August but stopped short of naming an exact date.

Trump says NATO willing to help in Hormuz operations as U.S. moves to 'clean out' strait - Sunday, 12 April

49min ago

Middle East Conflict

Trump says NATO willing to help in Hormuz operations as U.S. moves to 'clean out' strait - Sunday, 12 April

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the United States and Iran left peace talks in Islamabad without reaching an agreement early on Sunday, as negoti...

Orthodox Christians mark Holy Pascha worldwide with candlelit Easter vigils

4h ago

Holiday Spirit

Orthodox Christians mark Holy Pascha worldwide with candlelit Easter vigils

Millions of Orthodox Christians across the globe celebrated Easter, known as Holy Pascha, on Sunday (12 April) with midnight liturgies, candle...

6h ago

Obituary

Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle dies at 92 after eight-decade career

Asha Bhosle, the legendary Indian playback singer whose voice defined generations of Bollywood music, has died at the age of 92 in Mum...

7h ago

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating Orthodox Easter ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a 32-hour ceasefire introduced to mark Orthodox Easter on Saturday (11 April). Russian offi...

Israel reprimands Spanish diplomat after Netanyahu effigy blown up in Spain

8h ago

Israel–Spain tensions

Israel reprimands Spanish diplomat after Netanyahu effigy blown up in Spain

Israel has reprimanded Spain’s most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv after a giant effigy of Prime Minister Be...

Lithuania and Azerbaijan ties grow amid EU strategic shift

15:07

Diplomacy

Lithuania and Azerbaijan ties grow amid EU strategic shift

Lithuania’s Prime Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan on 9 April signals a deepening strategic dialogue between Baku and European partners. Analysts say economic interests and geopolitical shifts are driving closer engagement.

World

World News

13:19

Hungary Election

Hungary election: Five things to know as Orbán faces his toughest challenge in 16 years

Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.

20:53

Prince Harry

Prince Harry faces libel claim from Sentebale charity at High Court

A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).

China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader in rare talks, urges closer ties but rejects independence

10:18

Diplomacy

China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader in rare talks, urges closer ties but rejects independence

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun that “people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese” and that the future of cross-strait ties should be decided by “the Chinese people themselves”.

Republicans block Democrat's move to curb Trump’s Iran war powers

09:48

U.S. politics

Republicans block Democrat's move to curb Trump’s Iran war powers

U.S. President Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans in the House of Representatives have blocked an attempt led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to restrict presidential war powers over military action involving Iran.

Business

Business Economy Markets

11:37

View from China

French fashion brand Maison Margiela bets on China with global debut in Shanghai

A French fashion label is placing China at the heart of its global ambitions, choosing Shanghai for its worldwide debut in a move that shows growing confidence in the country’s consumer market and cultural influence.

Disney plans up to 1,000 job cuts in latest cost‑cutting move, report says

08:33

Entertainment

Disney plans up to 1,000 job cuts in latest cost‑cutting move, report says

Walt Disney is planning to cut up to 1,000 jobs in the coming weeks, with many of the reductions expected to affect its marketing division, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the plans.

07:34

EV Transition

EV transition slows as U.S.-China competition impacts regional markets

Major automakers showcased new electric vehicles at the New York Auto Show this week, under the slogan “electrification is the future." However, weakening demand in the United States and intense competition with China are raising questions for markets across the globe, including the South Caucasus.

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

14:48

Energy supply

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

The U.S. national average retail price of petrol rose above $4 a gallon for the first time in over three years on Monday (30 March), according to GasBuddy data, as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran continued to roil global energy markets.

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

14:16

Energy crisis

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

Japan and Indonesia will deepen coordination on energy security, Tokyo said, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts vital oil and gas flows to Asia.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

08:18

Entertainment

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion was hospitalised in New York City after she fell ill mid-performance during a Broadway production of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical'.

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

14:07

Culture

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

The European Broadcasting Union and global entertainment company Voxovation have announced that the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in 2026, with Bangkok selected to host the inaugural edition.

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

07:56

Entertainment

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

Music superstar Taylor Swift scored a leading seven trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday including artist of the year and best pop album for the upbeat record "The Life of a Showgirl."

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death